Bailey The Maltese (Click to enlarge)
Meet Bailey. He’s another sweet, sweet Maltese. We see a lot of Maltese in our studio, in fact we had Bailey’s dog mom or dad in the studio a couple of years ago. Bailey’s been in several times and it’s always a joy to see his human mom and dad. Sometimes they bring others in their family too. They make me think we should have a party when they arrive because it always feels festive.
It’s true that I see thousands and thousands of proofs of pets every year and I have a clear picture in my mind about how a particular subject should look in print. Most folks come to a professional photographer to purchase formal portraits of their pets and family. My job is to fulfill their requests, even if their pets are wild and their children need naps. That is how I step behind my lens in every instance. I try to fulfill the plan of action to the best of my ability. After shooting, I make a judgment about each proof as we go through them in the studio. I try to get something you or my client cannot get at home. …cannot get at home are the operative words. I may even try to talk my clients out of a proof because, I say, they “can get that at home”. I say this with the hope that my pet people understand that I understand these are valued photos and they’d better be good, not a snapshot you could get for free at home with your own camera.
A couple of months ago I was a speaker at the Greater New Orleans Photographic Society’s Photo Gumbo convention. The topic they wanted me to address was pet photography. When they approached me I thought, wow, they must really be hard up for speakers if they found me! I waffled and replied that I would have to think about it. My friends were sure I could do it. I was doubtful. Of course you think I can do it, I say, someone else can always do it! I finally relented. They were smart. They asked me months in advance. It’s easier to relent when the due date is months away. (You can tell what kind of student I was.) But yikes! Time passed. Did I think I would be dead by April? Sheesh! We were into March and the event was only 3 weeks away. Panic set in. I had to put some plan in action. (Remember what I say about planning as one of the four elements of good pet photography? See Eye Contact for a review. Well, planning is an integral element of a good life as well!)
I decided to let the photos tell the story, just as I always do. I picked photos which illustrated points I thought were important about pet photography…and just blathered on about them…just as I always do. Most of my images are formal portraits of pets. Some with human folks in them as well. But formal. I grew up looking at books of dogs photographed pointing in the field, stacked and focused, standing and alert, or sitting tight with ears pricked (or dropped breed specific) and mouths closed. I knew what the dominant breed should look like. I would look at my subject and shoot accordingly. Most of my subjects did not know how to pose, but allowances and work-arounds could be employed to get that formal look. And all is well, right? Well, I have been inspired by some of my clients and their dogs, and have allowed that a mouth open provides a sweet look and can make a lovely portrait as well. Here’s my rule: if the tongue isn’t the first thing you notice about an image, then it probably is okay. I still like to get that formal inquisitive look with a head tilt, but look at Bailey. His mouth-open look makes me think he just said something. Wait, I think I hear it. “Hi, let’s play!” A talking dog; now, that’s compelling!
Although I love to hear from you off-line, our conversations will benefit others if we have them in this forum. So, don’t be shy. Comment here about my posts or photos and post some of your photos as well. We’d love to see them.
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